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Fiscal Centralization: Theory and Evidence from the Great Depression

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  • Daniele Coen-Pirani

    (University of Pittsburgh)

Abstract

The Great Depression produced a profound and lasting influence on the structure of U.S. government. We study theoretically and empirically the increased centralization of revenue collection and expenditures in the hands of the states relative to local governments during the 1930s. In our political-economy model the income decline of the Depression causes a rise in property tax delinquency, undermining the main source of revenue for local governments and leading to increased political support for sales taxation and centralization by the states. Empirical evidence based on cross-state variation in the severity of the Depression is consistent with the model's key predictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniele Coen-Pirani, 2016. "Fiscal Centralization: Theory and Evidence from the Great Depression," 2016 Meeting Papers 783, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:sed016:783
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Koomin Kim, 2023. "How gubernatorial budgetary power and interest groups affect vertical fiscal imbalances in the US states: Focusing on fiscal centralization and decentralization," Public Budgeting & Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(2), pages 53-81, July.
    2. Fang, Hongsheng & Guo, Lin & Shuai, Wenjun & Dong, Ye, 2021. "How to explain the inverted U-shaped curve of tax centralization in China?," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    3. Ryota Nakatani, 2024. "Revenue Decentralization and the Probability of a Fiscal Crisis: Is There a Tipping Point for Adverse Effects?," Public Finance Review, , vol. 52(3), pages 376-396, May.
    4. David Card & Ciprian Domnisoru & Lowell Taylor, 2022. "The Intergenerational Transmission of Human Capital: Evidence from the Golden Age of Upward Mobility," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 40(S1), pages 39-95.
    5. Andrea Papadia, 2024. "Fiscal policy under constraints: Fiscal capacity and austerity during the Great Depression," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 77(1), pages 90-118, February.
    6. Siodla, James, 2020. "Debt and taxes: Fiscal strain and US city budgets during the Great Depression," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism
    • N12 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-
    • N42 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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